Friends and strangers help raise cash for cancer victim

Kremmling  An auction in Kremmling has grown to a size unexpected by organizers as friends and strangers lend a hand to help Peter Greiner, who is sick with liver cancer.The benefit auction will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Kremmling.The idea for a benefit auction was developed after Jeffrey Greiner, one of Peter's four children, advertised his prized horse for sale. The buyer asked Jeffrey why he wanted to sell his horse and the boy told the woman he wanted to help his sick father pay medical bills.The woman told the story to Kathy Bower, an Episcopal priest. Bower, along with Dotti Greaves, began organizing the event. The initial goal for the family was set at $5,000. But since then, the event has grown and the community has given more than expected."We have probably received at least $30,000 in merchandise, as of now" Greaves said."Just last night, I opened the mail and received $1,000 worth of checks from people all over" Bower said.Not only has the community given the family overwhelming support, but once the word spread, people from all over the state began offering their services or donations."This event has people banning together from Frisco to Denver" said Greaves.The auction items include a booking with one of the top 10 American paint stallions, earrings made by a 7-year-old boy, ski passes, Broncos game tickets and babysitting services. One Denver man who's sick with brain cancer sent his golf clubs because he can't use them anymore. Even the flyers and all advertising for the event were donated by a local public relations firm."We even have children sleeping on the lawn the night before the auction to prevent vandalism" said Greaves.John Greaves, 75, will debut skills he learned at auctioneer school by donating his services. Other Grand County community members have collected boxes for people to take their goods."Everyone who has heard about the event has donated something" said Bower.The generosity doesn't surprise Bower."It's not profound that people are helping. I know this community and how the people help each other out no matter what, " she said. "The big story is, how big this event has gotten.""Peter has actually done us a favor" the priest continued. "He brought our community together, we united for one goal and he taught us how to give."We have to remember that this problem and the expenses will go on past Saturday."